CBC NewsManitoba residents suffering from dating violence can ask for protection orders under a new law that came into force Friday.

Under the old legislation, only those who had been living together could apply for such protection. The amended Domestic Violence and Stalking Act now extends to those who are only dating.

Jeff Gindin Protection orders are also easier to get, sometimes even over the telephone and can oblige an offender to get counselling.

"I don't believe this issue has received the public attention it deserves," said Manitoba Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh.

"There has been a recent U.S. study from Harvard University that indicates that one in five girls have suffered physical or sexual dating violence."

Mackintosh says Manitoba is the first province to put such legislation in place.

A protection order can prohibit the people named from coming to the victims' homes or workplaces and following or communicating with them. It may also force them to turn over any weapons they may have.

People who work with victims of physical and sexual abuse applaud the changes. But defence lawyers say the law could face challenges under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because the person the order is granted against is considered guilty before been given a chance to mount a defence.

"It's a little vague, because there are some things that aren't defined clearly. It's now extended beyond what it was extended to before to include dating relationships. What does that mean?" said Jeff Gindin, past president of the Manitoba Defence Lawyers Association.

"Maybe there was one date or a cup of coffee. That's suddenly sufficient to allow someone to get an order against someone without the usual hearing or chance to object, because there's a lot of shortcuts in this act, making it easier to get protection and prevention orders, and there are dangers with that because the other side doesn't get their chance to get their say."

Mackintosh says the new legislation complies with the charter.

But Conservative justice critic Kelvin Goertzen said the legislation will only be effective if the protection orders are enforced.

Victims of dating violence can now apply for protection orders under a new law that has come into force in Manitoba.

"There will be protection for people in dating relationships," said Christine Melnick, Manitoba's family services and housing minister.

Under the previous legislation, only those who had been living together could apply for such protection.

"Any broadening out of legislation to protect victims is a step in the right direction," said Art Lepp, whose daughter Cory was murdered by an ex-boyfriend five years ago.

While many crisis workers are pleased to see these amendments to the province's Domestic Violence and Stalking Prevention, Protection and Compensation Act, some say women who may be in danger should be prepared to take charge whether or not they have a protection order in hand.

"Women have to do safety planning and protection planning if they feel they are threatened and if they are threatened, to take those threats seriously, it's a piece of paper that's the reality," Bernice Getty, of the North End Women's Centre told CTV Winnipeg.

According to Manitoba Justice, protection orders may include any of the following provisions necessary for immediate protection:

Prohibit the respondent from coming to the applicant's home or workplace or that of other specified persons Prohibit the respondent from following the applicant or others Prohibit the respondent from contacting or communicating with the applicant or others, directly or indirectly Give the applicant or respondent possession of necessary personal effects Provide peace officer assistance to remove the respondent from premises and/or to ensure the orderly removal of personal effects, and Require the respondent to turn over weapons and authorize the police to search for and seize weapons But some critics say the legislation is too broad.

Instead of going before a judge and arguing for a protection order, women can now get it the same day by seeing a justice of the peace the same day -- no questions asked.

The man isn't made aware of it until later. Winnipeg defence lawyer Jeff Gindin says the new law could step on Charter rights.

"You can have a complaint of some kind and you can get this thing -- without notice, without a hearing, without having to justify it with evidence," he told CTV News.

Men's rights advocate Roger Townsend of the Ottawa Men's Centre said: "My concern is that the prejudice is so extreme that I can't understand that such a crazy law was passed."

Manitoba officials say U.S. studies show one out of five women has suffered physical or sexual abuse while dating.